In very recent years holy war has been fought between Iran and Iraq, and with a ruthlessness that has at times, with the use of chemical weapons for example, offended international codes of conduct. (BNCI)
The holy war can be terrible in its course and consequence, and is open to distortion and misuse for a variety of purposes. (BNCI)
Iraq, meanwhile, attempted to take advantage of the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia by calling for a holy war, or Jihad, against King Fahd in order to protect the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina from" infidel" (non-Moslem) forces. (BNCI)